Spectacle case

ABSTRACT

A flexible spectacle case provided with a pocket clip of the type normally used on pocket pens.

[ July 31, 1973 Elnited States Patent [1 1 Nathan 24/3 L 24/3 H 24/67 AR GHF 33" Mun Burke.........

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21 Appl. No.: 201,329

Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Steven E. Lipman Att0rneyRudolph J. .Iurick [52] U.S. 206/5 R, 24/3 G, 24/3 H [58] Field 0! Search ABSTRACT A flexible spectacle case provided with a pocket clip of [56] Relennces Cited the type normally used on pocket pens.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,068,209 7/1913 Bird 24/3 H 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Flgures SPECTACLE CASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various clip arrangements have heretofore been incorporated in a spectacle case for the purpose of retaining the case securely in the wearers pocket. In general, the prior clip arrangements are either of complex and costly construction or they detract from the appearance of the spectacle case. A pocket clip construeted and arranged in accordance with this invention is of simple, inexpensive construction, enhances the appearance of the case and is particularly adapted for use on flexible spectable cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A patch of flexible material, secured between a conventional pocket clip and a rigid backing plate, is heatsealed or sewn to the outer surface of flexible spectacle case. The patch of material may be suitably embossed and of a selected configuration, thereby to enhance the appearance of the case.

An object of this invention is the provision of pocket clip assembly particularly adapted for use on a flexible spectacle case.

An object of this invention is the provision of a flexible spectacle case provided with a pocket clip such as is normally used on pocket pens.

An object of this invention is the provision of spectacle case made of flexible material and carrying a pocket clip, the pocket clip and a rigid backing plate being secured to a patch of flexible material which is heatsealed to the case.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as defining the scope or limits of the invention, reference being had for the latter purpose to the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in the several views:

FIGS. '1 3 are, respectively, front, side and rear elevational views as the pocket clip and backing plate assembled to a patch of flexible material;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the pocket clip;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the complete spectacle case;

FIG. 6 is a corresponding left side elevational view; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII VII of FIG. 5 and drawn to an enlarged scale.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 4, a patch 10 of flexible material such as, for example, polyvinylchloride or leather, is positioned between a metal backing plate 11 and a pocket clip 12 of the type normally used on pocket pens. The clip is provided with two integral prongs l3 and 14, which pass through the patch 10 and a backing plate 11. The projecting ends of the prongs are crimped over, whereby these three members are secured together and form an assemblage. By using suitable dies, the prongs of the clip are pierced through the patch and the backing plate. Alternatively, the prongs of the clip may be pierced through the patch and pressed through slotted openings pre-formed in the backing plate. Longitudinally-extending ribs or flutes 15 and 16 may be pressed or rolled into the backing plate, whereby to reduce the thickness of the plate while providing the necessary rigidity for the proper functioning of the clip.

The described assemblage is adapted for attachment to a spectacle case 17 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, such case being formed in a conventional manner. For example, the case may be formed from a single sheet of flexible plastic, that is, the sheet is folded back upon itself to form the case front and back 18 and I9, respectively, after which aligned edge portions are heatsealed or sewn together to form the case bottom and side 20 and 21 respectively. The open top of the case is indicated by the numeral 22. Prior to the formation of the case, the assemblage of FIGS. 1 3 is placed in proper position on the plastic sheet and the marginal edge portions of the patch 10 are heat-sealed to the underlying portions of the sheet by means of a suitable tool. Alternatively, the case may be formed of two separate, matching pieces of material which are heatsealed or stitched along the two sides and the bottom. In either case, the clip 12 is carried by the front of the case and the backing plate 11 is confined between the patch 10 and the case front 18, see FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the numeral 25 identifies a conventional inner case liner made of appropriate material to minimize scratching of the eyeglass lenses.

The tool used for attaching the pocket clip assemblage to the front of the spectacle case may have a selected configuration and the forward face of the tool which is brought into contact with the patch 10 may be provided with a design, all for the purpose of enhancing the appearance of the completed case. More specifically, the design shown in FIG. 5 was formed by a tool having a generally keystone configuration and the forward face of such tool included closely-spaced grooves which resulted in the line effect appearing along the marginal edges 23 of the patch 10. Also, the case and the patch may be made of polyvinylchloride of different colors and suitably embossed. While the heatsealing of the pocket clip assemblage to the spectacle case is preferred, it will be apparent such assemblage may be sewn to the case.

Having now described the invention what I desire to protect by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination,

a. a spectacle case made of a flexible material,

b. an assemblage comprising a patch of flexible material clampingly secured between a rigid backing plate and a pocket clip, and

c. means securing the said patch in a fixed position to an outer surface of the case.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the spectacle case and the patch are polyvinylchloride, and wherein marginal edge portions of the patch are heatsealed to outer surface of the case.

3. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the pocket clip includes integral prongs passing through the said patch and backing plate, projecting end portions of said prongs being offset into engagement with a surface of said plate.

l IR 4 i l 

1. In combination, a. a spectacle case made of a flexible material, b. an assemblage comprising a patch of flexible material clampingly secured between a rigid backing plate and a pocket clip, and c. means securing the said patch in a fixed position to an outer surface of the case.
 2. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the spectacle case and the patch are polyvinylchloride, and wherein marginal edge portions of the patch are heat-sealed to outer surface of the case.
 3. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the pocket clip includes integral prongs passing through the said patch and backing plate, projecting end portions of said prongs being offset into engagement with a surface of said plate. 